Voting-machine.



J. H. MYERS. VOTING MAGHINE.

nr'monxon FILED NOVA, 1895.

' Patented 0013. 11, 1910.

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J. H- MYERS. VOTING MOHINE. APPLIOATIQN Hmm 11,014, 1895.

Patented OO. 11, 1910.

DEMOCRATKZW REPUBLICAN lBALLOT Fig. :5?

IRREGULAR BALLOTS GOVERNOR AFPROPRIATION DAVID ILHN-L.

LEV! P.MDRTON.

AGAINST CORONER CORONR APPHOPR\^TIDN GEO. T-WEBD.

ooroNEFl i QORONER J. H. MYERS. VOTING MACHINE.

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, APPLICATION FILED FOV. 4, 1885.

Patented 001111910.

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J. H. MYERS. VOTING MACHINE. .armonica FILED 1rov 4,'1895.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

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he n.0 n n J. H. MYERS. VOTING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED Nov; 4, 18.95.

Patented out. 11,1910.

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J. H. MYERS. VOTING MAGE-INE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. a., 1895.

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J. H. MYERS. VOTING MACHINE. ArPLIoATIoN rum) Nov. 4, 189s.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910,

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VOTING MAGHINE. rr'LIuATloN FILED Nov. 4, 1896.

Patented Oct. 1l, 1910.

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J. H. MYERS.

VOTING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED HOV. 4, 1895. Patented Oct' 11,

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Attorney-.ff

UNITED STATES JACOB H. MYERS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK,

T0 EMPIRE VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, 0F

TION OF NEW YORK.

ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORA- VOTING-MACHINE.

To all whom 'tt may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB I-I. MYERS, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improven'ients in Voting- Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and `exact description otl the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the reference letters and numerals marked thereon.

My present invention relates to improvements in voting machines particularly of the class contained in my prior Patents Nos. 415,549, 424,332 and 494,588, and has for its objects to improve the construct-ion and operation of some of the operative parts, whereby they are greatly simplified and rendered positive in their operation, and whereby also the capabilities of the machine are increased, and to these and other ends the invention consists in improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter fully described and the novel features pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of the booth or cabinet. Fig. 2, a sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking to the left. Fig. 3, a sectional View on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, a front view of a portion ofthe plate or partition carrying the ballot-indicating devices. Fig. 4, a rear view of the saine. Fig. 4a is a perspective view of the rear ot' the supporting plate, similar to F ig. 4, showing the operating parts of the machine, the central part of the plate being broken away and showing only the end counters. Fig. 4b is a perspective view partly in section, looking toward the rear of the supporting plate B and showing the interlocking devices between the horizontal rows of blocks in the multicandidate group. Fig. 5, a horizontal sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4, showing one of the row of ballot-indicating keys operated. Fig. 6, a siinilar View during the operation otone of the keys. Fig. 7. a vertical-sectional view on the lin-e 7 7 of Fig. 4. Fig. "7'l a perspective View of the counter-actuating lever. Fig. 8, a detail rear view partly in section of one of the counters and the actuating and releasing devices. Fig. 9, an enlarged elevation of one -of the operating devices of the multicandi- Specification 0f Letters Patent.

Application filed November 4, 189,5.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910. Serial No. 567,965.

date group. Fig. l0, a sectional View of one i of the push-keys in the multi-candidate group after it has been actuated. Fig. Il, a sectional View ot' the same on' the line 1l l1 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12, a detached plan l View of the end block of the multi-candidate group. Fig. 13, a section on the line 13 13 of Fig. 4. Fig. 14, a detached view of one ot the sliding blocks of the multi-candidate group. Fig. 15, a vertical-sectional view on the line 15 15 of Fig. 8. Figs. 1G and 17 are enlarged detail views of devices for the locking out of the straight ticket mechanisms. Fig. 18, an end View of the same.

Fig. 19, a section taken on t-he line 19 19 of Fig. 20. Fig. 20, a vertical-sectional view of the irregular voting device. Fig. 20?, a

similar view with the key orindicator moved inward. Fig. 21, a plan View of the same with the push-key-casing removed. Fig. 22,

a detail view. Fig. 23, a modification of the detail in Fig. 22. Fig. 24, a view of one of the catches for holding the movable member 55, taken from the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 17. Fig. 25 is a sectional perspective view of the irregular voting device.

Similar reference letters and numerals in the figures indicate similar parts.

The booth or casing for containing the operating parts of the machine is essentially the same in construction as shown in my prior patents before referred to, and embodies a main casing A preferably constructed of metal of suitable thickness formed in sections and adapted to be boltcd together and capable of being readily taken down and being stored or being set up in a room where the election is to be held. .Extendingl across the inside of the chamber thus formed is a partition or wall B dividing the booth into two chambers or compartments, the one C containing the sible only to the judges and inspectors 4oit election, and theother compartment D being accessible to the voter through the usual entrance door E. Inside the booth is a compartment G formed by a partition H and an interior door J, the eXit door K from the booth opening from this compartment G. Suitable interlocking devices are provided between the vdoors E and K embodying the sliding-bar 1, the spring 2 for operating it, the lever 3, and the slidingbar counting and operating mechanism, acces- 4, such as shown in my Patent No. 494,588, the arrangement of these parts being such that the entrance door E cannot be opened until the door K has closed and released the voting mechanism, and suitable interlocking devices are arranged between the doors J and K so that the latter 'cannot be opened until the former has been closed. These deconnected a vertically operating bolt 10 cooperating with a suitably perforated projection 11 secured to the door K. A vertically moving b'ar 12 is arranged in suitable bearings on the door J and adapted to be actuated by the knob J its upper end projecting in proximity to the arm 8, the construction of the parts being such that when the knob J is actuated to unlock the door J, the rod 12 will move the rock-shaft 5 through the arm 8, and through the lever 9 and rod 10, will lock the outer door K and as said door J is opened, the cam 7 operating on the arm 6 will hold the outer door locked until the voter enters the apartment G and then as the door J closes theouter door K will be released and the voter, now in the compartment G, may pass out of the outer door K. Upon the latter is arranged a slotted cam 15 in the slot of which operates the end of a sliding-bar 16 pivoted to a link 17 connected to a crank-arm 18 on the rockshaft 19 located in the compartment C, which causes the return of the parts of the voting apparatus to normal position.

As in the machine shown in my former patents, the devices accessible to and operated by the voter consist of a series of pushkeys, or ballotv indicators, which are preferably arranged upon the face of the partition B in substantiallythe manner shown in my prior patents and in Fig. 3a herein, the pushes or keys devoted to candidates for the same oiice being preferably arranged in the same horizontal plane, while those devoted to the candidates of the same party are arranged one beneath the other in columns, vertically, suitable designating devices, such as previously descrlbed by me, may be used to indicate the columns of the candidates of the various parties and preferably one of the columns is devoted to questions upon which a popular vote is desired,

such as constitutional amendments, appropriations for specic purposes, and in Fig. 4

Vof the drawings I have arranged a series ofsuch counters or ballot indicators in the column to the extreme left. I have also shown in said ligure a series of counters located slightly above the others arranged in party columns, the operation of these counters indicating a vote for all of the candidates or nominees of the party in whose column they are located, as shown particularly in Fig. 3a, where the pushes are denominated by the words straight ticket.7 Sometimes it is desirable that devices be provided for enabling voters to cast a ballot for candidates not regularly nominated by the parties to whom a column of counters has been devoted, and in my present machine I provide for this, the indicating devices being designated by the words irregular ballots7 in Fig. 3a.

The ballot push keys employed in the present machine resemble somewhat those shown in my prior patents and embody a key-casing 20 preferably formed of sheet metal secured to the partition plate B by bolts or otherwise, and the keys proper consist of a barrel 21 having a flat inner portion moved outward or retracted by means of a spring 22 operating against an abutment 23, the inner end of the key being beveled on opposite sides, as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 15, and provided with an aperture 24 with which the key-retaining devices coperate, as presently described. The countercasing is also provided with a lug or projection 20EL at its end and the knob or end of the key is, when pressed in, beneath this lug, the object being to prevent an unruly voter from striking the push with his fist and tending to damage the machine, as unless his handor thumb is below the lug it will be brought in violent contact with the end thereof, as will be understood. Each of the counters upon the rear side of the partition B excepting in the first column at the left and those in the upper row is devoted to a separate candidate, and as before, the operationof this counter one unit causes the registering of a vote for the candidate to whom it is devoted, and all'of the counters are constructed in substantially the same manner, the dierence between them and their actuating devices, as well, residing principally in the interlocking -mechanism, presently described. As before, each counter embodies a suitable casing 25 within which is arranged a train of counting wheels, the numbers on which are visible through apertures .in the counter-casing, and the first or unit wheel 26 of the train is provided on its periphery with ratchet-teeth with which cooperates a pawl 27 mounted upon the end of a counter-actuator in* the form of a lever 28 pivoted at 29 to some suitable support, such as the casing.

Upon the upper portion of the counter casing, for the purpose of arresting the downward movement of the left end of the actuator 28, is a small arresting slide 30,

having' a beveled face, guided by suitable ears on the casing and operated in one direction by a light spring 3l., as shown in Figs. 8 and 15; said spring moving the slide toward the left in Fig. 8 to support the keyretainer, and the end of the lever 28 is provided with a. downwardly extending projection 32, which, when the key is not operated, rests upon the top of the slide 30, but when the push key is thrust in, its beveled end movesl the slide laterally and allows the projection 32, which constitutes a key-retainer, to drop into the aperture 24 and hold the key` preventing its withdrawal until operated upon by the releasing devices. rFhe parts are so arranged that when the keyretainer is resting upon the block 30, the pawl 2T is not in such engagement with the tooth of the unit wheel of a counter that a downward movement of the pawl will actuate the ratchet wheel, but when the key retainer drops into the aperture of the key after the latter has been pushed in, the actuator 28 will then move to the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 8, and the pawl 27 being operated upon by the spring 33 will engage said tooth, so that when the outer end of the actuator` 28 is moved upwardly by the releasing devices, the counter will be operated to indicate one unit or vote for the candidate to whom it is devoted; the result of this being that when a voter actuates a.

ballot-push-key the counter is not operated directly, as in my before-mentioned patent, but is set, so t-hat one vote is counted for each of the candidates whose push keys have been operated by the voter, only when he leaves the booth or the proximity of the push keys; by this means preventing a repeated or fraudulent operation of the counter, a voter only setting the device for counting one vote, and this only after the key has been retained against the tension of its spring.

The eXtreme end of the actuator 28 projects beyond the counter-Casin and in position to be operated upon b a ug or ear 34, a series of which lugs are ormed upon each of the releasin rods 35 attached to arms 36 on the rock s aft 19. These rods 35 are preferably formed of sheet metal bent up into trough-shape and having the ears 34 formed integral therewith. The bars or rods 35 are connected to move simultaneously and constitute in effect a frame which is movable edgewise of the bars, as distinguished from a movement toward and from the front plate, and these bars or-rods therefore constitute a-means for actuating the pawls which are left in voted posit-ion.

It will be noted that the operation of counting is only accomplished when the voter leaves the booth by the key-releasing mechanism, and in order that the fraudulent operation of the machine may not be accomplished by fastening in one of the push-keys and thereby enabling a vote to be registered for the candidate to whom it is devoted, every time the exit door is opened, I form each of the actuators 28 which are made of elastic sheet material, such as steel with a downwardly and preferably outwardly extending ear 128, see Fig. 7 a which, when the key is properly operated and the arresting slide 30 moves forwardly in line with the key opening, is inoperative, but if through accident or design the slide should be prevented from moving back over the key aperture in the partition B to its .normal position., when the lever 28 is lifted by the lifting rod or rods 35, the said end 128 will engage the end of the slide, the curve thereof causing it to spring outward and as the lever is moved upward will rise above t-he top of the slide and rest upon it when it descends as shown in Fig. 7a, so that this counter actuator 28 will be thrown out of operation entirely and its counter will not be operated again until t-he slide 30 is moved forward to normal position after the push key has returned to its normal position. It will be noted that when the bars 35 move upwardly to raise the actuators and release the keys they are operated sufficiently high to move all the actuators whether allowed to drop by the keys or not, thus insuring the release of the keys and releasing any actuators which may have been caught on the interlocking blocks as described.

The interlocking devices between the counters in the horizontal rows devoted to candidates for the same office, excepting those in the multi-candidate group, consist of sliding blocks having the beveled proximate ends and actuated toward the center by springs, substantially as shown in my previous patents, the end blocks in the present instance however, being provided with slots 37 and tongues, which latter are encircled by yspring 38 rest-ing against projections 39 formed upon the topsof the countercasings, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, but as the first row of counters to the leftl of Fig. et are those devoted to questions, and not to individual candidates or parties, the last block 4() of each of the series, both of the multicandidate group and the others, eX- tends over the questions counter, with its end normally projecting beyond the latter and over the key of the counter inthe questions column, as shown in F ig. 4. A

The multi-candidate group of counters and operating keys are to be used when there are two or more candidates nominated by each party, and the voter is entitled to -vote for as many candidates as there are ofiices to be filled, that is to say, if, as shown in the drawing, there are four candidates nominated by each party for the otce of coroner, the voter may be permittedto vote the manner described as shown in Fig. 7,

4shown in Fig. 5 to the right, the thickened for any four of them, and no more, this feature being contained in my prior Patent No. 494,588. In order that this may be accomplished in the present machine I construct the last of the sliding blocks 41 in each horizontal line of the multi-candidate group, as shown in Figs. 5,6, 9, and 12, said block being provided with the springs 38 operating the blocks toward the center in and arranged upon this is a pawl 42 the operating end of which is pressed downward by a spring 43 in such position that when any key in the line is pushed in and the end blocks 41 are moved to the right, said pawl will enga-ge with a tooth of a movable member in the form of a gear 44 pivoted upon a stud 45 and turn said gear the space ot' one tooth in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 9. This gear 44 of each row of counters in the multi-candidate group meshes with a vertically movable rack-bar.

46 operating in suitable guides 47 and having at its upper end the removable screw or pin 48 adapted to contact with the upper guide 47 and limit the downward motion of said rack after the operation of one, two, three or four keys in the multicandidate. group, depending upon its adjustment. The intermediate blocks 41a in the multi-candidate group are constructed as shown in Fig. 14 preferably of sheet metal, the lower sides and ends being cut away as shown in said figure, and being slightly beveled downward and outward, as shown at 41", and are each also provided with a spring having the upwardly extending portions 49 adapted to engage with the underside of the countercasings directly over them, as shown in Figs. 10 and 14, thereby holding the blocks down with a yielding pressure, though not intertering to any appreciable extent to their sliding laterally when thepush keys are inserted between them. The inner pointed ends ofall of the push keys in the "multicandidate'group are of 'about the thickness or height of the sliding blocks, but a short distance back of the ends they 'are reduced in thickness to a trifle less than the cut-out spaces in the blocks 41a, the rear side of the raised portion being .inclined as shown in Figs. l0 and 15 at 50, and the relation of the thickened portion of the key to the width of the blocks and the location of the keyretainer is such, that, when one key in the multicandidate group is being pressed in, as shown in Fig. 6, the blocksl will be moved so as to preventthe simultaneous operation of any other key in that horizontal line, but after the key has been fully moved in, as

head of the key will pass beyond the ends of the sliding blocks, which are then permitted to come together, back of said head 'after the operated key has been retained by i the key-retainer. Thus, as shown in Fig. 5, the key to the right has been operated and there is nothing to prevent the next key in the same line being operated also. When the keys in the multi-candidate group are released from the retainers, the inclined portions 50 on the keys operated will lift the ends of the blocks 41a'against the tension of the 4springs 49 thereon and permit the outward movement of the keys. Inv 0rder to prevent the simultaneous operation of two keys in different horizontal rows I provide upon one, preferably the last slid.- ing block 41 of each row, a pointed projection 51 and arrange between a plate 52 and the front plate. or partition B, a vertically movable series of sliding blocks 53, see Fig. 4 which, when in normal position occupy the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 and Fig. 9, being held in contact by gravity, and the series being supported upon a light spring 53a, but when the key in one row is operated, the inclined portion 51 will separate the blocks 53 and prevent the simultaneous operation of any key in the other rows, as will be understood, and as the blocks in the horizontal rows are adapted to return to normal position after the actuation of any of the keys, the successive operation of keys in t-he saine or different rows will not be interfered with.

It will now be understood that the opera. tion of any key in the multi-candidate group will, through the pawl 42 and gear 44 operate the sliding rack-bar 46 down- 100 ward, one unit or space, and when the required number of votes have been cast in this group, as predetermined by the adjustment of the adjustable screw or stop 48, said screw will engage the guide 47 and by preventing -105 further movement of the rack-bar prevent the movement of any of the horizontal slid- .ing blocks far enough to allow the retainer on the counter lever to drop into the aperture and thereby set the counter and retain' 110 the key.

The rack-bar 46 operated by the slidingblocks 'on the counters in the multi-candidate group is returned to normal position by a stud 65 on a vertically sliding rod or 115 bar 66 connected by a link 67 with a lever 68, the end ofwhich operates in a cam. slot 69 in a lever 70 pivoted to the partition B and connected by a link 71 with an arm 72 on the rock-shaft 19, see Fig. 4 this construc- 120 tion permitting a considerable movement of the rod 66 by a comparatively smallmovement of the rock-shaft. Y

While the multi-candidate group of ballot-indicating devices is primarily adapted for voting for any desired number-'ofcandidates, as the machine is adapted for lgeneral elections, it is desirable that means be provided for using these rows of counters for single candidates, and in order that this 13o may be accomplished I arrange upon the gears 44, pins 75 and 76, (Fig. 9) the former being adapted to coperate with the recess 78 in the pawl 77 when it is desired that only one vote be permitted for a candidate in the line of sliding blocks controlled by this gear, and when this is to be done, the pin 75 is placed in the recess 78, as shown at the bottoni 'of the multi-candidate group and to t-he right in Fig. 4. In the event that the gear is out of mesh with the rack (and it may here be stated that the gears are mutilated gears for this purpose) so that when the sliding blocks have been moved once by the push key, the pawl 77 will prevent turther movement of the gear and consequently the lateral movement of the blocks necessary to permit the inward movement and retention of a second push-key. Oi course the other gears of the multicandidate group could be similarly7 arranged if desired and in order that when so arranged they may be returned to first position by the rocking of the shaft 19 I provide upon the sliding rod 66 suitable arms 79, as shown in Figs. 4 and 9 adapted to coperate with the pins 76 to returnI the gears to normal position, that is, as shown in the lowermost gear of the multicandidate group. Under ordinary circumstances these arms 79 do not engage the pin 7 6, but only when the multicandidate group is not to be used as such, but only to permit a vote for one candidate in the row. The gears 44 and the rock-bar are held in whatever position they may be moved by the operating parts by means of spring washers 44a arranged between the heads of their pivot pins and the gears as shown Fig. 9.

As before stated, when the keys are operated, a vote for the particular candidate to which the key is devoted is indicated, but not counted until the voter leaves the proximitypf the keys. As this machine is arranged to indicate a vote for the straight party ticket and also for candidates not nominated, there must be some form of lock-v ing-out mechanism between the multicandidate group, the group for individual candidates for the same oiiice, the irregular candidate ballot, and the stra-ight party ballot, so that when any one of these is operated it is impossible that an irregular ballot or party ballot can be cast by the same individual, and for this purpose I arrange in suitable guides at the left of the machine a movable member in the shape of a pla-te 55 adapted to be moved vertically, the normal downward motion being limited by a small roller or pin 56 resting in a notch in the end of a slide 157, as shown in Fig. 4, said plate 55 having a series of recesses 57 arranged normally in line with the end block of the horizontal sliding series of each line of counters, and pivoted upon pins 58-on this bar are a series of catches 59, one for each horizontal line of counters and blocks in the multi-candidate group, the upper ends of said catches projecting into the recesses 57 opposite the end sliding blocks of the horizontal rows of multi-candidate group, while their lower ends are hooked shown in Figs. 1.6 and 17 and are adapted to engage with suitable stationary lugs or stops (in the present instance formed on the end of the counter-casings in the questions column). Beneath these catches and between the heads of the pins 58 on which they are pivoted and the plate 55 are elastic or spring washers G2, which serve to hold the catches in either of the positions shown in full or dotted lines in Figs. 1G and 17. For the present, it need only be stated that the operation of one of the keys denoting a vote for a straight party ticket or for the depositotI an irregular ballot, requires the vertical movement of the plate 55 so that if by the operation of any one of the keys in the multicandidate group this plate is locked from upward movement, the other mechanisms mentioned will be prevented from operation. The movable member or plate 55 is comparatively light, but I preferably'proiv'ide a light spring 55a (Fig. 4) to partially counterbalance it and permit its easy operation. When one of the keys in the multi-candidate group is operated, the end block 40 will move over to the position in dotted lines in Fig. 1G causing the end of the catch 59 to engage with the projection GO, the friction washer retaining it in this position and preventing the movementpf the plate 55 by the other mechanisms. release of this catch (and the return of the plate to normal position so far as this catch is concerned) is caused by the pin 62a on the rear side of the end vertically movable releasing rod 35, which engages said catch above its pivot and turns it to normal position, as shown in full lines in Fig. `24. This member or plate 55 is locked when any of the separate candida-te ballot-indicating devices other than these in the multi-candidate group are actuated, by causing said end block to pass into the slot or recess 57, which is opposite the row, and as the sliding blocks in this row are maintained separated when the key is retained in the manner described herein and in my other patents, the end block will prevent its upward movement.

It will be understood that for the sake of clearness I have broken away the key-releasing and co-unter-a.ctuating rod 35 of the questions column in Fig. 4 to show more clearly the construction and operation oit the plate 55, but, as will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 7 and 18, the rod 35 is outside, while the plate 55 is close against and slides upon the partition B. The slides 30 of'eaeh pair of counters in the questions The column are arranged to coperate with levers 80 see Fig. 4 to prevent the operation of one after its corresponding one has been actuated, substantially as shown in my prior Patent No. 424,332, and therefore this does not need further description.

In case there are two candidates nominated by each party and a voter is permitted to vote for any tw'o of them and no more, instead of employing precisely. the means shown in the multi-candidate group for locking out this portion of the machine after a predetermined number of candidates have been voted for, I employ such an arrangement as is shown at the lower portion of Fig. 4, to the right. In this, the sliding blocks, counter-actuators, key-retainers, etc., are constructed precisely as in the multicandidate group, and the last blocks toward the right of the series are provided with spring pawls operating upon mutilated gearwheels 17 0, which are adapted to mesh with a short rack 171, the downward motion of which is limited by a stationary stop or lug 172 and one of the mutilated gears, preferably the upper, is provided with apin 173 adapted to be engaged by one of the arms 79, on the sliding re-setting or releasing-rod 66. In this instance the total movement of the rack 171 is such as will be caused by the operation of tw'o of the push-keys in either row, and, instead of employing the vertically sliding blocks 53 between these two lines of mechanisms, I employ a pivoted lever 81 engaging with suitable slots or re-4 cesses in the end blocks 41a, as shown. By meansA of this construction, if one of the push-keys 'in the upper row of a pair be operated, the ear 170 will be rotated a corresponding distance, and the rack-bar 171 moved down and so also if a push-key in the lower row is operated the rack-bar will be moved down a corresponding distance, and then being arrested by the stop 172, these parts will be locked from further operation. If, however, attempt is made to press'in one key in each row simultaneously, the lever 81 will prevent the simultaneo-us operation of the rows of sliding blocks in the same way as'the similar lever between the counters in the questions column, although either one of the push keys can be operated separately, the interlocking devices between the Aenol sliding blocks to the left and the movable plate 55 are precisely the same as those described with reference to the interlocking devices of the multicandidate group and therefore need no further specific description.

In order that a straight party ballot may be cast or indicated by a voter, by which is meant a vote for all the candidates nominated by a particular party and whose names appear on counters and opposite push keys in each party column, I provide at the head of each party column a push key or knob 200, and arrange back of it a counter 201, in all respects similar to those heretofore described. The sliding blocks between these push keys are of the ordinary construction having beveled proximate ends and arranged as in my prior patents so that whenA a key in the line is inserted, the entnance of other keys will be prevented and the end block 82 (to the left of Fig. 4) is provided with a beveled outer end, as shown and a projection 83 on the lower side. In the present construction I have shown a blank counter-casing 201x supporting this end block, and the block as somewhat lengthened, but this is only necessary in the present machine, because of the location of the questions column at the end of the series, and it will be understood that any suitable guide for this block may be employed. Arranged upon the plate 55 is a small" stud or frictlon roller 84 so located that when one of the push-keys 200 in the top row is operated andthe block 82 is moved laterally, the beveled end engaging under the roller 84 will raise the plate 55 until the recesses 57 therein are above the sliding blocks of all of the counters on the plate B, thereby preventing the indication of a vote for any other candidate whether for the same or a different party from the party whose key in the top row has been operated and as this' block is retained in this position until the voter leaves the proximity of the keys, and he is prevented from returning, he can only move the one key and everything else is locked until he passes out theeXit door, when the lifting rod 35 will be moved vertically counting one vote for each of the party candidates on the counter 201, and returning the machine to normal position, the plate 55 moving downward by gravity or a spring if desired. This operation of the plate 55 has also locked out the irregular voting device, which will now be described, and which is shown particularlyin Figs. 4, 19, 20 and 21. In carrying out this portion of my invention it is my object to provide a device operated by a key which will lock the whole machine and permit the introduction of a suitable written or printed ballot contained in a case, preferably in the form of a cylindrical tube closed at bothvends which tube will be' deposited into the receptacle as the voter leaves the booth, the machine being released or returned 4to operative position at the same time.

In the present embodiment of my invention I provide a rotary receiver in the shape of a cylinder 90 pivoted on centers 91 and having a receptac e or recess 92 in one side, as'sh-own particularly in Fig. 20, which receiver is normally in the position shown in full lines, the cylindrical portion closing the aperture 93 formed in the plate B, but when the key controlling this receiver is operated,

the latter will be turned to the position shown in dotted lines so that a ballot contained in a tubular casing may bc inserted therein and retained in sight with all the mechanism locked until the voter leaves the booth when the receiver 90 will be turned to the position in full lines, and the cylindrical tube containing the ballot will be dropped into a suitable receptacle. The key tor controlling this device is substantially the same as all of the others, beingV provided with the pointed end and the aperture 24; near it. Mounted in a suitable guide on the plate 94, which supports this device on the partition B is a slide 95 operated by a spring 90 so that its beveled end will project in position to be operated upon by the corresponding beveled end of the key, as shown in Fig. 21, and the rear end of this block is also beveled at 97, as shown in Fig. 19, and is adapted when the key is pushed in and said slide is moved to the position in dotted lines'in said ligure, to engage with a roller or stud 9S arranged upon the plate so that when the key of the irregular balloting device is operated, the plate 55 will be raised and all of the counters excepting the straight ticket balloting devices locked out thereby, but this block 95 is also slotted and in said slot operates the end of an arm 99 of a bell-crank lever pivoted at 100, the other arm 101 of said lever being arranged, when the slide is operated, to project in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 19 and in the path of the lug or projection S3 on the end slide 82 of the straight ticket counters, whereby this will be locked and prevented from operation as well. The key retainer in this irregular voting device consists of a lever 102 pivoted at 103 to a suitable bracket and having the depending arm or ear 104 adapted to engage the aperture 24 in the key, and it is further provided with the pin 105, which, when the key is out or retracted by its spring, is supported upo-n an arm or projection 106 on the top of the sliding block 95, and said lever 102 is connected by a link 107 Witlra crank pin 108 on the rotary receiver 90, so that when the lever or key retainer 102 is permited to move down by the lateral move- .ment of the block 95 to the position in dotted lines in Fig. 19, the recess 92 in the holder 90 will come opposite the aperture 93 in the partition B: at the same time the key will be retained by the ear 104 in the same manner as the keys operating the counters. In stead of permitting the lever 102 to drop by gravity alone, I pivot to its outer end a slidingr pin 109 encircled by a spring 110 arranged between the end of the lever and an eye 111 upon the lifting rod 112, which is connected by an arm 30 with the rock-shaft 19 (see Figs. 4, 19 and 20) and this rod 11.2 is provided with a shoulder 112 adapted to part of a plate 116 which latter is provided with an aperture for the passage of the rod 112 and also with a downward extension to which is connected a small leaf spring, the function of which is to press the rod 112 inward to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 20, when the lever 102 is dropped and engages the key.

In normal position the parts are as shown in Figs. 20 and 21 and when a voter wishes to deposit a ballot for one or more candidates not regularly nominated by oneof the parties, he presses inward the knob 21 of the push key causing the lateral movement of the slide 95, and the movement of the plate 55 locking out the other voting apparatus. This operation also permit-ting the retaining end 10st of the lever 102 to drop into engagement with the aperture in the key, and the spring 111 forces the rod 112 forward to the position in dotted lines so that the shoulder 113 will be over the end of the lever 102. This operation has turned theballot receiver 90 up to the position shown in dotted lines in F ig., 20 in which position it is locked by the shoulder 113 and the voter then places his prepared ballot contained in a suitable tube or receptacle Within the recess 92 in the receiver 90 and then leaves the booth, passing out through the doors, as described. lVhen the rockshaft 10 is tilted, the rod 112 is raised, the projection 114 sliding up on the tongue 115, moving the rod backward and releasing the shoulder 113 from the lever 102, the continued upward movement lifts the end of the lever 102, permits the key to be forced outward again by its sprinOf, and allows the lateral movement of the s ide 95 until the ear 106 thereon passes beneath the pin 105, the parts being then returned to normal position, and as the end of the lever is moved upward by the pin 114, the receiver 90 is rotated to the posit-ion in full lines in Fig. 20 and the tube containing the prepared ballot is deposited in a suitable receptacle provided for the purpose.

As machines of this general description are adapted for general election purposes, it may be desirable in some instances to permit voters, of the general run of voters, to vote for candida-tes for specified otlices, such, for instance, as school commissioners, and in order that such persons may have access to the booths and vote for such designated otlicers and none others, I provide upon the sliding not possessing the qualifications line with the end of the block extension 82,

-push-keys in this line,

locking bal' or plate 55, a number of small .ftop plates 120 having slots 121 through which pass the pins 122 and upon the plate are arranged lugs 123, which may, when the machine is in general use, support said stop ieces in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, but said stop pieces are generally turned to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 22 to close the recesses 57 excepting a small portion, sufiicient for the entrance of the end sliding-blocks of the horizontal rows of counters. Those stop pieces 120 o posite the row of counters devoted to can idates for an ofiice for Which the-,voter is competent to cast a ballot are turned to the positionshown in full lines in Fig. 4, so that the recesses 57 in these lines are not partially blocked. Before such voter possessing limited qualifications enters the booth, the attendant in Acharge moves thevslide 157 inward by means of a handle 158, permitting the plate 55 to move downward until the roller 56 is in the bottom of the slot or recess 159 and this will bring the stop blocks 12() opposite the sliding blocks in the lines of candidates for which she is not qualified to vote and prevent thev operation of any so that the voter may then press the push-keys of any of the candidates for which she is qualified to vote and none others, and when she leaves the booth, the votes thus indicated Will be counted. This downward movement of the plate 55 locks out the straight ticket voting devices as the roller 84 Will be substantiallv in and will prevent its movement far enouofh topermit the indication of a vote, and will also lock out the irregular voting devices as the roller 98 Will be substantially in line with the end of the block 95.

Instead of making the stop plates 120 of the form shown in Fig. 4, they could be made as in Fig. 23 being pivoted directly to the plate 55 and capable of being turned to the positions shown in full and dotted lines' in said figures, as will be understood. It is also sometimes desirable to prevent certain voters from voting on questions of appropriations, for instance, and in Figs. 4 and 13 I have shown a. slide 130 having a handle 131 capable of heilig operated from the exterior of the booth; said plate 130 having tongues 132, which are adapted to project in line with the push keys of two or more of the counters in the questions column, the position of the parts, when it is desired to cut out two or more of these counters and the slide is pushed in, being indicated byl dotted lines in said Fig. 13.

It Will be understood that as far as the operation of the interlocking mechanisms is concerned, it is immaterial Whether the particular form of counter shown is employed 1 or not, as the counters could be actuated by the. slides 30, as shown in my other patents, or otherwise.

The movable member or plate 55 having thc recesses 57 and movable stops 120 thereon, in connection with a means for readily operatingr it, as the slide 157, is a valuable feature in a machine of this description, irrespective 'of its connection with the straight ticket or irregular voting devices, and also the interlocking devices of the series of individual indicators, for it enables the machine to be adapted by a single operation for enabling voters with limited qualifications to vote for certain candidates and none others. If, for instance, there should only be one vertical series of counters, say the second from the left hand in Fig. 4, and consequently no interlocking devices between the indicators now devoted to candidates for the-same oiiice, it Will be seen that the member 55 and the stops thereon could be utilized to permit only certain candidates in this column to be voted for by arranging. the stops 120 properly and dropping the member 55, the sliding blocks to the left then coperating With the stops or slots as the case might be, the keys or indicating devices in this second column in this event being considered a series within the meaning of the terms of my claims directed to this feature. y

lVhile I have termed the interlocking devices bettveen the indicators devoted to candidates for the same oiiice sliding blocks, I wish this to apply as Well to such devices as rollers, or other movable parts, the function of which is to prevent the operation of more than a predetermined number of indi cators.

The counter actuators are normally out of operative contact with the counters only in the sense t-hat the movement of said actuator by the voter, does not cause the operation of the counter to register, but simply sets the parts or puts them into such coperative relation that the return of the actuator to first or normal position moves the counter or registering mechanism one unit so that the Whole of the counting or registering operation is caused automatically by the operation of the door or barrier.

The complete cycle of operation of thev machine Will be understood to mean the operations which take place fromthe entrance of the voter into' the booth (or his approaching the ballot board or support) to his exit from the booth, or his departure from the proximity of the balloting devices Whether these operations are caused by the movements of doors, barriers, or movable parts operated directly by the voter or by oiiicers in charge of the election. The locking, intcrlocking and registering mechanisms prevent the operation of a counter or register morethan once during a complete cycle of operation of the machine.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of separately and manually operated straight ticket ballot indicators, one for all the candidates of a party, and interlocking devices between the individual indicators of the series, a scri es of separately and manually operated indicators, one for each individual candidate, interlocking devices between the indicators devoted to candidates for the saine oi'lice for preventing the operation ot more than a predeterniined number, all of the indicators being accessible to the voter, a plurality of counters, one for each ballot indicator, and counter actuators normally out of operative connection and arranged to be connected by the operation of the indicator, of means for positively and simultaneously operating all the counters whose indicators have been operated by the voter, and a locking-out mechanism ar ranged between the straight ticket indicators and the individual candidate indicators, whereby the operation of one in either series will lock all those in the other.

2. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of separately and manually operated straight ticket ballot indicators, one for all the candidates of a party, and interlocking devices between the individual indicators of the series for preventing the operation of more than one, a series of separately and -manually operated ballot indicators, one for eachindividual candidate, and interlocking` devices between t-he indicators devoted to candidates for the same oiice for preventing the operation of more than a predetermined number, all of said indicators being directly accessible to the voter, a plurality of counters, one for each ballot indicator, and counter actuators normally out of operative connection, and arranged to be connected by the operation of the indicator, of means for positively and simultaneously operating all of the counters whose indicators have been actuated bythe voter, and a locking-out mechanism controlled by the interlocking ydevices between the straight ticket indicators and also by the interlocking devices between the individual candidate indicators, whereby the operation of a straight ticket ballot indicator will lock all the individual candidate indicators, and vice versa.

3. In a vot-ing machine, the combination with a series of straight ticket ballot indicators, one for all the candidates of a party, interlockinghdevices between the indicators for preventing the operation of more than one, an irregular ballot indicator, a series of individual candidate ballot indicators, and

interlocking devices between them for preventing the operation of more than a predetermined number, a plurality of counters, one for each straight ticket and individual candidate indicator, counter actuators normally out of operative connection and arranged to be connected by the operation of the indicators, of a locking-out mechanism controlling the operation of the straight ticket indicators, the irregular indicator, and the individual candidate indicators, whereby upon the operation of either the straight ticket, irregular, or any of the individual indicators, the other two will be locked from operation, and means for simultaneously and positively operating all of the counters, whose indicators have been operated.

4, In a voting machine, the combination with a series of straight ticket ballot indicators, one for all of the candidates of a party, and interlocking devices between the indicators of the series for preventing the operation of more than one, an irregular ballot indicator, and a. lid or cover controlled thereby, a series of ballot indicators, one for each individual candidate, and interlocking devices between the indicators devoted to candidates for the same oiiice for preventing the operation of. more than a predetermined number, a plurality of counters, one for each straight ticket and individual candidate indicator, counter actuators normally out of operative connection and arranged to be connected by the operation of the indicators, of a locking` out mechanism controlled by the interlocking devices between the straight ticket indicators, the irregular ballot indicator, and the interlocking devices between the individual candidate indicators, whereby upon the operation of any ofthe straight ticket indicators, the irregular indicator, or any of the individual candidate indicators, the other two will be locked from operation, and means for positively and simultaneously actuating all of the counters, whose indicators have been operated.

5. In a vo-ting machine, the combination with a series of straight ticket ballot indicators, one for all the candidates of each party, interlocking devices between them, and retainers for the indicators, of a series of ballot indicators, one for each candidate, retainers for the indicators, interlocking devices between the indicators for candidates for the same office, counters for the indicators in bot-h the straight ticket and individual candidate series, counter actuators normally out of operative connection but arranged to be connected by the operation of the indicators, means for positively and simultaneously operating all of the counters whose indicators have been operated, a move able member actuated by the interlocking devices of the straight ticket indicators and controlling and controlled by the interlocking devices of the individual candidate indicators.

6. In a voting machine, the combination Adevices bet-ween the indicators for preventing the operation of more than a predetermined number, a movable member having recesses therein with which the last-mentioned interlocking devices cooperate, and connections between said member and the first-mentioned interlocking devices, whereby said member will be actuated by the operation of any of the first-mentioned series of indicators, substantially as described.

7. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of ballot indicators, as keys, interlocking devices between them and retainers for the indicators, of two or more series of ballot indicators, as keys, and interlocking devices between the indicators of each series to prevent the operation of more than a predetermined number, a -movable member actuated by the operation of any indicator on the first mentioned series and controlled by the interlocking devices of any of the last mentioned series, a series of adjustable stops on the movable member with which .the said interlocking devices may engage at certain times, and devices for iving said movable member an abnormal movement to bring the stops in position to engage the interlocking devices andprevent.

the operation of any indicator controlled by them, substantially as described.

8. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of groups of ballot indicators, as keys, interlocking devices for each series between the indicators thereof for preventing the operation of more than a predetermined number and retainers for the indicators, of a movable member having a-series of adjustable stops thereon, one for each series of indicators, but normally out of line therewith, and devices for operating said member to bring the stops in position to be engaged by the interlocking devices of a series of indicators, substantially as described. v

9. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of ballot indicators, as keys, of a movable member having a series of adjustable stops thereon, and a series of movable parts, as slides, actuated by the indicators and arranged to contact with the stops on the movable member when the latter is moved in one direction, substantially as described.

10. VIn a vot-in machine, the combination with 'a series ot"l straight ticket ballot ineach key independently l indicators of the series, and the slide'having the incline thereon, the irregular ballot indicator, the ballot receiver controlled thereby, the slide actuated by the indicator having the incline, andthe lever cooperating with the slides and preventing the operation of one when the other is actuated, of the movable plate having the studs and the recesses, and two or more series of ballot indicators, interlocking devices between the members of each series and the movable blocks operated by the indicators of the series cooperating with the recesses in the movable member, substantially as described.

12. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of series of b-allot indicators, a counter for each key, a series of movable blocks between the indicators of each series for preventing the simultaneous operation of more than one indicator in the series, a pawl carried .by one of the blocks in each series, and a toothed movable member, as a gear, for each series, of interlocking devices between the blocks of the different series, connections between the movable toothed members, and a stop for arresting the movement of said members after a predetermined number-of indicators have been actuated, substantially as described.

13. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of ballot keys automatically operated in one direction, having projections thereon and the inclines at the rear of the projections, of a series of blocks arranged between the keys movable laterally to permit the .passage between them of the projections on but a single key at a time and independently movable vertically to permit the movement of the keys in one direction, a series of key retainers one for each key, releasing devices for the retainers, a progressively movable member actuated intermittingly by the lateral movement of the blocks, and a stop for larresting it after a predetermined number of keys have been operated, substantially as described.

14,. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of series of ballot keys, and automatically movable to normal position and having the projection andv the incline at the rear of the 

